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worried_person · May 18, 2012, 02:17 AM

I'm pregnant, so a painter from the US offered to pay me to pose nude for a painting, but since I'm not from the US it was to be done on skype. I posed as agreed, and then they refused to pay me, and threatened to spread a video they recorded of me posing nude to all my Facebook contacts unless I do more nude poses without receiving any pay. My family is religious and doesn't agree with posing nude, so I really don't want them to find out, and I'm afraid the distress this is causing me is affecting me and my child. I can't agree to keep posing nude because I don't know what they'll ask me to do and what they'll do with the videos. I filed a complaint online, but I don't know what else to do, since I'm not even in the US. I'm really scared and worried because I don't know if I'll be able to handle my family finding out in my current emotional state, and I really don't want it to affect my unborn child, help please!

ScottGem · May 18, 2012, 03:33 AM

Go to your local police. Do you have e-mails or other proof of the threats?

Did you "sign" any agreement as to the pictures? I assume there was no sexual aspect to the Skype session.

Also, change the privacy options on your Facebook page. Make sure only people you have "friended" can post to your wall. And if this guy is listed as a friend block him.

You may have to file suit to get any money.

worried_person · May 18, 2012, 04:29 AM

Yes, I have kept all the emails and conversations. I didn't sign any agreements or anything, and there was no sexual aspect either. I blocked this person from Facebook and skype, but they already have my Facebook contact list. Would I have to go to the police in my country even if the person is from the US? Is there any way to make them erase the video before they send it to my contacts? The video was taken without my knowledge and consent

ScottGem · May 18, 2012, 05:08 AM

By "sign" I mean an e-mail where you agreed to pose. Even by agreeing to skype, you did agree to the video. The very nature of skyping allows both sides to record the video. So just answering the Skype call gives them, in effect, permission to make the video. On the other hand, if the e-mails specified only that you were doing this as a model for a portrait, then you have some recourse.

The only way to make them erase the video is via a lawsuit or criminal prosecution. You first want to report this to your local police. They can then work with police in the US to see what can be done.

Fr_Chuck · May 18, 2012, 05:46 AM

Blackmail is illegal, and you "think" they are from the US, if your only contact is by email, they could be anywhere, down the block from you, or in south africa.

So unless you have a real mailing address it is hard to say, If you know where they are at, you can and should contact YOUR local police and report the blackmail. And should contact the local police where they are located at.

Has he provided any bank account for the money to be sent to ? Paypal or some account, that can be used to track him.

How did he find you, did you advertise for this ? Or answer a ad for a model ?

ScottGem · May 18, 2012, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Has he provided any bank account for the money to be sent to ? Paypal or some account, that can be used to track him.

The OP was supposed to be paid. Doesn't appear the painter is asking for money, just for her to continue to pose for free.

worried_person · May 18, 2012, 04:13 PM

I have found another victim of the same person, from the same website where they contacted me first. They have confirmed the blackmailer is indeed in the US, and the face is apparently real, but the name might be fake. The only thing we were able to confirm is that the person is indeed in the US, and possibly of latin descent

ScottGem · May 18, 2012, 05:05 PM

And how were they able to confirm this? And how do you know this person is real?